Day 63: August 14, 2012- Firstborns!

There's a Choke in My Throat.

"The blessing of the Lord makes rich, and he adds no sorrow to it..."

I don't know if I can say how much I love that.

But this guy will be a few feet from my bed tonight, and I'll cherish every moment.

(Except perhaps the moment when...oh, quiet, don't ruin it...)
The Readings:

Numbers 2:1-3:51, Mark 11:27-12:17, Psalm 47:1-9, Proverbs 10:24-25

Old Testament.
Notice the mention of first born sons over and over (in the second half of the reading, after the lists of armed men). Why are first borns so important to God, so important to parents? After Luke, I think I know.

This is a special place of honor, the first time a parent's heart was cracked into, dare I say it, growing three times the size like the Grinch on Who Christmas Day.

Do you know God's heart grows like this when he thinks about you?

I see it in every moment I spend with my son.

It should blow us away, how much we are truly loved.

In the reading, God calls the firstborn Levites a replacement. He calls it...redemption. Sound familiar? That's because this is all pointing to Jesus, who is the "firstborn of all creation."

When Jesus took our place in sin, we took his place in holiness.

Ephesians says God "seated us with him in heavenly places." That, paraphrasing, he could show us all his blessing in Christ.

When we took on the death and resurrection of Christ, we took on his place as the firstborn son. We received his blessing.

Thinking about my son, I'm starting to understand this. No matter how many kids God has, that mean you are the firstborn, in the place of blessing in Christ, it means in a special sort of way, you are his favorite.

That has significant meaning when we read about firstborns today. It has especially significant meaning as I read it for the first time to my firstborn son.

New Testament.
Those good old Pharisees try to trap Jesus again today. Twice!

The first time, he comes back with a trap that leaves them scratching their heads and with no answers (or nooses to pull around him).

The second time, leaves them stumbling over themselves amazed.

"Give to Caesar what is Caesar's and give to God what is God's."

Puts in perspective the things of God and the things of men.

Psalms.
When's the last time you've genuinely broken out and praised God? I mean screamed, or shouted, or hooted. I don't know why, but the Psalm today makes me think of letting loose. Good Christians need to let loose every now and then. If nothing but to remind ourselves and the world what a game-changing God we have.

Proverbs.
If you're wicked by the end of reading the Bible through with us in a year, you have some serious problems.

Actually, the Bible says you'll fade away. Oh, but your fears, they won't go away.

And neither will the hopes of the righteous.




To read along, click here.

Day 42: July 24, 2012- The Molten Calf and Peter in the Fire

The Readings:

Exodus 32:1-33:23, Matthew 26:69-27:14, Psalm 33:1-11, Proverbs 8:33-36

Old Testament.
Arggh! Really? We're going to create a golden calf as Moses is on the mountain with God? So forty days is too long to wait. And we're going to decide a calf we made out of our earrings took us out of Egypt.

Gotta hand it to God's people. We're some brainiacs. I guess it's a lesson in not getting impatient with God's timing and giving up on God. Or maybe just fearing God. Certainly, the issue is not the accessories, here.

New Testament.
Peter denies Jesus three times. Judas realizes what he's done and kills himself. Major players are getting the shake-down as the curtain is being called on history's biggest moment.

Psalms.
God has all power. Isn't it good to shout aloud and sing for joy to him? If you haven't done that in a while, perhaps it's time to let loose and do it now.

Proverbs.
If you listen to wisdom, you love life. If you reject wisdom, you hate life.

I feel like this is Bible For Dummies: Solomon's Cliff Notes Version. Or something like that. At least it's simple enough we can understand. But are we really seeking God's wisdom?

I'd have to say, if we aren't reading our Bibles regularly, we're not seeking wisdom.




To read along with the podcast, click here.

Day 28: July 10, 2012- Self-control, Wisdom, and Following God

The Readings:

Exodus 5:22-7:25, Matthew 18:21-19:12, Psalm 23:1-6, Proverbs 5:22-23

Old Testament.
God's plan doesn't seem to be working out very well to Moses. But what happens is exactly what God told him would. Sometimes God's plan doesn't make sense. It seems to take the long way. Or worse...hurt. But it always works out for his greatest glory. So let's not complain or question him. Let's accept that God is God and his ways are good. He's going to work it out. And it'll be good.

New Testament.
Jesus addresses his disciples over a couple major issues. The first is forgiveness. Rather than giving someone a few chances and then deciding one is vindicated in dismissing him or her, Jesus says we're to forgive forever. Pretty much. He uses an illustration of how we've been forgiven of millions. And then we hold twenty bucks against a brother?

The other is marriage. It's a beautiful thing. It represents Christ and the church. And how permanent is it? Jesus explains- God doesn't want us to divorce, ever. But if one has broken the covenant through cheating sexually, then we may divorce. Otherwise, any remarriage is adultery. Even the one who was divorced is an adulterer if he or she remarries (apart from sexual infidelity). That's a message that we don't quickly live by. But he makes it crystal clear.

And the reason? It is a covenant, made at an altar, before God, and two become one. That can't be undone, except through sex, because it's also the consummation of the union. This is just the nature of marriage. Jesus isn't trying to hold us back. We often think we're entitled to whatever we want because we live in America. But we don't have a right to what we want outside of God's design. If we live it God's way, it will always turn out best. For us, our husbands and wives, our children.

Psalms.
What a comforting Psalm. To many people, Psalm 23 is a favorite. Try reading it to your newborn son soon after he's born. Pretty special.

Proverbs.
Let us learn the lessons above. Proverbs ties it all together here. We should heed God's Word, lest we "die for lack of self-control, " or "be lost because of [our] great foolishness."




To read along with the podcast, click:

Here

Day 27: July 9, 2012- Like a Little Child

Luke's Second Bath!

I know what you're thinking. 27 days is not a long time for a second bath. We're employing a small contingent somewhere in Minnesota with our family's baby wipe consumption. And warm wash cloths...free, I know. But innumerable portable soap towelette scrub-downs do not help his bath-per-day ratio. Technically, whatever happens on the middle of the bedroom floor cannot be called a bath. It's a glitch in the system we're aware of.

So Luke has just begun to experience the sensation of submersion.

If you noticed the submarine surface dive fiasco a couple days ago, you know he didn't have the best start. I think more fluid was actually dispersed from his tears and scream spittle than was displaced by his body.

We're working on the situation. He's graduated to getting his toes wet and being sprinkled across the chest. Without so much as a whimper.

Stud.

So yeah, this kid is bound for great things, I can see it.

He'll be doing backstrokes across the tub with his baby bottle in no time. (The short way.)

This is not a kid who'll get wipe downs on the bedroom floor forever. No, he's one to whom the sound of the ocean will call, in whose heart the roar of many waters will stir for a great voyage. Or at least the sound of the bathroom sink as I wash my hands after changing him.

He's got something. Potential. Actually, he's got humongous feet. But I think they'll reveal in time his land-sea-air potential. He can already stand. With a sort of caved in one leg thing going on and me holding him up. But, watchout. This kid's for real.

Sometimes he doesn't cry when I wipe him.

Now if we could only figure out a convenient way to bathe him after every changing, we could put a small town in Minnesota out of business for good.

Luke: The Afterbath

The Readings:

Exodus 4-5:21, Matthew 18:1-20, Psalm 22:19-31, Proverbs 5:15:21

Old Testament.
Moses whines and whines about what God wants him to do. He tries to get out of it. Then when he finally does it, he fails again and again. Discipleship training program, anyone? This is God's version. Fortunately, he told Moses that Pharoah would reject his message, but I'm sure it still smarts. Where God leads us, he often lets us go through the trials that hone us. He actually wants us to be strong. Don't let this discourage you. "Suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us." (Romans 5:3b-5a)
This is the only method of God making us grow that I know...

New Testament.
Like a little child. Like Luke. Today, I'm gonna be like Luke. Luke trusts me. Well, he trusts mom, anyway. He knows he's getting milk. He just accepts what we give him. No apprehensive taste test with one eye cocked suspiciously. No, he just guzzles it down. Do we trust God? Do we humbly accept from him without question, like a kid does his Daddy? Today, Luke is the lesson. And just this once, I'm gonna be just like you, little guy.

Psalms.
David is really calling out to God. He needs him to come through. But listen to how he worships as he does. He's not afraid to declare to the heavens the glory of God. We should too. Let's be unabashed in one thing, at least. Let's be unabashed worshippers. Then they can call us men and women after God's heart. Like David.

Proverbs.
Pretty important message after the last couple days of warnings about the immoral women. This is possible men's greatest temptation, and I wonder if immoral men are women's. Still, there is a reward. Solomon explains God wants us to experience great joy in our spouses, if we have them. If we don't, we have a Lover God who draws us close. And he is delighted when we preserve ourselves for him. or for our spouse. But to have sex with whomever we want sells ourselves away to pleasure; it destroys the most valuable thing we have: our purity. And life goes with it.




To read along with the podcast, click:

Here

Day 24: July 6, 2012- Not too Yeasty Love Stories Leave the Nightlight On

Lots of content, fun, and good stuff to grow in Christ today, so stick around. Life with God should be fun and, though sometimes hard (especially when containing squishy greenish content that smells like danger Will Robinson), it should be simple too. So enter like a little child!

And maybe together we'll find faith like one a little easier.

Cousins!

This one's a couple days old, but sooo adorable (I hate people who draw out words). Luke meets his cousins, Sky and Lucy, on the play mat, and surprise, he actually looks like he knows what's going on! Or like he's trying to figure out what's going on.

Or like he's staring off into space in the direction that Sky happens to occupy.

But anyway, it's really cute, and you really should see it!

So see it (By the way, you've gotta see the little tussle at the end of the video- stick around to the end!):





Look at that Face.

Featuring, the face of the day:

 Wha does cute mean?

Cute means 24 days old and lovin' that hair-do, Lukey. 

Look at that Face, Part 2.

 

The close runner-up:

 

I think it's time for me to be put down

 

Or changed, buddy. And I'm goin' with number 2.

Stay tuned, more pics to come!

And even more content today, so stick around, cuz it's...

 

Keep it Simple Day (with Instructions).

In case you don't know, if you scroll down past the interesting, insightful comments on the readings below (four readings, four sets of comments), you will actually find something surprising. The readings.

That's right. You can listen in just fifteen minutes or so while brushing your teeth (you need fifteen minutes) or eating breakfast, and it'll keep you focused on the way to go, with a few extra notes so simple a child could get it (my child, anyway).

I hope you consider joining us for this year. Fifteen minutes a day and you'll have read the Bible, even if you've only been listening. You can read along in a new window through the link below, while I read, or you can just listen and reflect.

Also, these podcasts should be able to be downloaded to an mp3 player for listening on the go. Let me know if you can't get that to work and I'll look into it for you.

Enjoy!

Genesis 48:1-49:33, Matthew 15:29-16:12, Psalm 20:1-9, Proverbs 4:20-27

Israel gives the blessings before he dies. As the backwards sort of guy he is, he blesses Joseph's second son over his first. One has to wonder if this is God's foresight into their futures or Jacob doing what he does best: stirring things up. Remember, he was the second-born who stole the blessing from the first. So it's almost fitting that he'd pass along the blessing to the second. What way to go out. Not that Joseph has to be happy about it.
Anyway, it's lights out on this chapter of God's epic love story with mankind and on to the next. One would think after a seven year famine that leaves the land in servitude and barely saves the family, the worst is behind them. Unfortunately, they've got another thing coming. Stay tuned to tomorrow. If you thought Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob were epic, wait til you meet this guy God flushes out of the reeds.

Jesus points out the Pharisees' hypocrisy. Possibly more importantly, he tells them to beware of the sly teachings that will sneak into the church. There are reasons in later books Paul tells Christians not to even eat with certain Christians; there is a danger their hypocrisy or theology will seep into the church. We have not done a good job of that. At times the church doesn't look too different than the world, and even when it is, it isn't always following God's Word. So let's get out the flour and keep it away from that nasty yeast!

And whose gonna come to save you? In whose arm do you trust? The Lord. Let's believe God is a victorious conquerer God, riding in like a general before all his troops. He has won and we can trust him.

And after a reading like yesterday, which really freaked those of us out that are afraid of the dark, it's nice to have one like today. It tells you where to walk. Not to the left. Not to the right. Straight ahead. Guard your heart and fix your eyes forward and you won't lose your way. Wisdom keeps us not only away from those who do evil and could make us slip up, but it keeps us ON the path of righteousness. That's right, we're actually going somewhere.
And if you get scared, you can keep a nightlight on.




Read along if you like:

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%2048:1-49:33,%20Matthew%2015:29-16:12,%20Psalm%2020:1-9,%20Proverbs%204:20-27&version=NKJV

Day 23: July 5, 2012- The Heart, Not Rules, and Rest in Arms of Love

Resting in God.

Beautiful. Both of them.

 

Resting in Mom's love

 

I wonder how much we can rest in God's love. The Bible says we are to find shelter under his wings. That we have entered into the rest of Christ. I think that's what it looks like. Resting on the chest of someone who will absolutely love, absolutely protect. There's no place for anxiety. No place for worry. Just peace, because there's no reason to mistrust Him.

Luke doesn't worry about whether we will hold him. He doesn't fret about whether we'll be there when he wakes up. Not when he's sleeping. He knows nothing other than to give in to loving arms that surround him. He finds rest there, because of the full trust he has, not in spite of it.

How many of us rest in God like my son above? That's what rest in Christ is. Total trust in loving arms that we have no reason to believe will not be there. Letting him do the protecting and the work and just falling asleep.

You have no reason to worry. God's an even better parent than Angela, above, is. He's perfect. He never slips. Never fails to clean up our mess or feed us when we need it. Heck, he turned a few loaves and fish into a meal for thousands the other day in the reading. He has a compassionate heart that doesn't say, "Send them out to get food." He says, "You give it to them." And then he breaks it and hands it to the person next to him. 'Til every last one is satisfied.

We don't have an incapable God. We don't have one on whose watch we need to stay awake to make sure nothing happens. We have one, like in the photo above, in whose arms we can fall asleep and in whose care we can forget where we are, forget everything, and just know that it will be all right.

Only, you may want to clean your own diaper from time to time.

Today's all about the reading!

Genesis 46:1-47:31, Matthew 15:1-28, Psalm 19:1-14, Proverbs 4:14-19

Mama...mama...I'm (not) coming ho-o-ome. Jacob leaves the place near where the promise was given to his descendants. He travels to a foreign land to stay for what would be 420 years. As a people. Israel's body would be taken home to rest with his ancestors. It's just another reason that God knows what he's doing. He leads his people to a place, for their survival, from which he will later have to liberate them. And eventually, mama...[they're] coming home.
(Or going. Going would be appropriate grammar. But, uh, it wouldn't fit with the _____ reference. Wouldn't you like to know what ____ is? *Sticks tongue out,* on a Christian blog, but quickly apologizes, so it's cool. Was imitating a frog. *Sticks tongue out* again. Because now we're friends and friends can do that.)

Jesus is all real. So real. He is the ultimate unhypocrite. He neutralizes hypocrisy in the world by his radical unhypocritical-ness. He chastises the Pharisees for following rules without the right heart. They don't care about the right reasons and therefore end up with the right rules for the wrong reasons or the wrong rules for the wrong reasons. It's a sliding scale away from godliness without the heart thing. Then, in a seemingly different example, he meets a woman to whom the right rules (God's) say Jesus isn't to minister. But guess what? She has the right heart. So he gives her what she asks. Is God saying do whatever you want by your own rules (with the right heart) and you'll be pleasing to God? No! That's not even possible when you're making up the rules. But he is saying your heart is what matters. If that's in the right place, the rules that should be bent will be. 'Cuz it ain't about them anyway. They aren't what God came to save. But the heart is precisely the heart of what is. And it's what God cares about. So where's yours?

Psalms serves up another sweet worship sesh. Things burst forth. Things proclaim. The glory of God shows up. The soul is revived. Hidden faults are cleansed. It's a might-uh pleasin' med-uh-tation of da heart and-uh word of ma mout' (Their Eyes Were Watching God style).

And if you want to be wise, if you've been following this year through the Bible just to become wise, Proverbs gives a simple plan: don't even go near the path of evildoers. They don't know what trips them BECAUSE THEY'RE IN THE DARK. PSST! Who turned out the lights?? So...simple math. If you don't want to be asking later how that happened, what tripped you up, don't walk in the dark. It's only in the dark that they don't know. And you know that path. So stay away from it.




To read along:

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%2046:1-47:31,%20Matthew%2015:1-28,%20Psalm%2019:1-14,%20Proverbs%204:14-19&version=NKJV

Day 22: July 4, 2012- Fourth of July, The Family of God and Mine

Fourth of July Celebration! Yay!

Me with Daddy. He knows more than I do about this smiling thing.

Actually, Luke smiled voluntarily for his first smile yesterday! Unfortunately, he cannot yet call upon the gift at will.

 

Oh, yeah. That's natural bedhead.

 

I don't understand why I'm on display.

By the way, what's a president?

 

Oh, that? Haha...wait,

were we talking about the coffee table?

 

Mommy's got spirit.

Her Fourth of July star jeans are cool.

I want to be just like Mommy.

 Today, proud to be an American.

And proud to be a Demsick.

And proud to be a Christian! Let's to the...

Readings! Also, yay!

Genesis 44-45:28, Matthew 14:13-36, Psalm 18:37-50, Proverbs 4:11-13

Joseph reveals his cunning plan: to see if the brothers would defend Bejamin the way they persecuted him. Have they changed? You probably know the answer. But, stop by and hear it again. *Spoiler* - God brings a happy ending to an unhappy (or at least progressively difficult) story, thereby making it a happy story! Yay!

Jesus doesn't let anything stop him from reaching out to the people, even after he's reached out to them. Why send the people home? Feed them yourselves. Jesus is sending a message. Have compassion on the people and minister to them. Feed them. God will come through and make it miraculous if you need. Just trust him to come through and do it.
Interestingly, he does it again to let Peter come to him. In other words, a little bit of boldness and God will come through for you. So live life on the edge for him! You'll find things you depend on will start working out.

David is stoked. Basically, God rocks! Praise to the Rock! David can't contain himself and has to list off God's accolades, the things he's done. Question is- in your time with God, when's the last time you did, too?

Proverbs illuminates the path. Looking for a straight path in life? This reading gives some direction.

Hope you enjoy the reading on a special day honoring our country's independence. Glorify God with it!




To read along:

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%2044-45:28,%20Matthew%2014:13-36,%20Psalm%2018:37-50,%20Proverbs%204:11-13&version=NIV

Day 21: July 3, 2012- The Palm of My Hand

My Boy:

 

 

Like the palm of my hand. You're bigger than you were before, but you're not big. Still a little squirt. Just huge in my heart.

 

"Really?"

"Woww."

That's something worth dreamin' about.

My boy's video:

Luke, Mommy, and me in bed together this morning.

It sounds like a 1920's home video because the sound is trashed, but if you watch, you'll see the sweetest little thing. And Mom's hands. Mom's hands are in the video. Couldn't get a shot without them.





My boy's Bible:

You'll find Luke was a little talkative in this reading. He can't quite out-talk his dad. Yet.

Genesis 42:18-43:34, Matthew 13:47-14:12, Psalm 18:16-36, Proverbs 4:7-10

You can't avoid consequences. You can't. The brothers threw Joseph away like a piece of overstock pottery for a cut rate to roving traders. They thought they'd get away with it. Years, possibly a decade later, it comes around.

You can run on for a long time
Run on for a long time
Run on for a long time
Sooner or later God'll cut you down
Sooner or later God'll cut you down

(Johnny Cash)

Notice what they do when it comes around, notice how they deal with it. Listen in the reading, Joseph imprisons Simeon and sends them back to get the brother. They go home and start eating. Seriously. They eat all the food and only then, after Jacob is oblivious to his lost son and sends them back for food do they remind him that oh, uh, Simeon's in jail and, haha, we can't leave without your other son. You know, the other one you love. Will this family continue to try to avoid consequences?
But they can't, and here's the best part: when they are faced with their sin and repent, Joseph gives them full grace. He sees their hearts of sorrow for what they'd done and breaks down. Isn't that like God? When we repent, he forgives and lavishes us with his freedom. "When we confess our sins, he is faithful to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

Jesus. Gives perspective on heaven. And hell. Then goes home and is completely unreceived. Guess nothing good can come from Nazareth after all. According to the Nazarenes.

David. Loves him some God. Gets him some God. Enjoys him a double helping of God. And God enjoys him too.

Wisdom. Hahahhaahah... Proverbs is unusually blunt. You'll have to join in on the reading for this one...

God bless us richly as we all grow in God!

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%2042:18-43:34,%20Matthew%2013:47-14:12,%20Psalm%2018:16-36,%20Proverbs%204:7-10&version=NIV

 

Day 20: July 2, 2012- Dreams and Glimpses of Heaven

All in a day's work.

 

So comfortable with Daddy

 

 Stirring...

 Wait, there's no milk here!!

 

Aw, nevermind. I'm comfortable with Daddy

So Luke couldn't keep out of the readings, this time. Just had to put his thoughts in. You start preaching early, buddy. Just go ahead and try it.

The Readings:

God focuses on dreams, glimpses of heaven, and glimpses of God today.

Genesis 41:17-42:17, Matthew 13:24-46, Psalm 18:1-15, Proverbs 4:1-6

The Dream. How many years have gone by since God gave Joseph his dream? It was the dream of childhood. The one he was given when life was fresh and new and full of promise. Then tragedy.
He was sold off into slavery, rejected by his family. Scandal. Lies. Prison. Neglect.
And years later, after the world had threatened with all it had, to take his hope, to steal his dreams, to whittle him down to a man without the heart of a child, who could no longer believe in dreams, it came.
Joseph had not given in to these pressures. And his time came. God simply did what he does: he fulfilled the dream that he gave. Are you willing to believe the dreams of your youth? Do you remember them?
Perhaps we should reflect on what God put on our hearts those long years ago. Perhaps we should remember the dreams God has given us.

Jesus gives snapshots of heaven. He gives snapshots of the nature of where God is taking us. They are filled with metaphor and meaning, but are not clear without the Holy Spirit's insight. But Jesus pulls us close, with his disciples, and explains...

David would be using hyperbole over and over again if God weren't bigger than anything that can be compared to him. If it weren't true. These explanations of God's power and supreme goodness could just get you riled up.

Proverbs tells you to "take heed to my instructions, my son." A fitting lesson for a blog from a father to a son. This is one of those, "You might want to pay attention" moments.




And to read along...

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%2041:17-42:17,%20Matthew%2013:24-46,%20Psalm%2018:1-15,%20Proverbs%204:1-6&version=NIV

Day 18: June 30, 2012- Dreams, Righteousness, and the Lord's Confidence

Priceless shots of the day:

On the journey.

I think I should be upset right now.

Hey, they can't all be good.

You put that one up, Dad?



Aw, phooey.

Genesis 37-38:30, Matthew 12:22-45, Psalm 16:1-11, Proverbs 3:27-32

Joseph enters the picture. Isn't it crazy we've gotten that far? Contrast him and his pure, innocent heart for God with that of his older brother, Judah, who sleeps with his daughter-in-law. It makes one wonder how one family produced Jerry Springer kids and patriarchs in God. Who knows how God chose Joseph over his brothers and if it was only Joseph's doing? But the reality impresses on me strongly, a father has a great impact over his children. May I be a father who devotes himself to his children and, may by God's grace and devotion, they become Josephs.

Jesus is called the devil. Well, it had to happen. Have you ever been so attacked in the church? Remember, these old boys, the Pharisees are the church leaders of their day, not just our hindsight proverbial hypocrites. Unfortunately, they don't always get it right, which is why righteous men and women in the church HAVE to stand up. We have to notice and fight against injustice. We have to be men and women of valor. A major step of this is being wise enough to recognize what is good or bad, what is of him or not. Today, he teaches us...

David is really celebrating this time around, which is nice. For all his pain, he can't but sit before God and get all gushy. Get gushy with him. You'll appreciate God, righteousness, and everything holy so much more if you do. Let the floodgates open. Tears and warm fuzzies welcome.

And Proverbs gives us our gentle nightcap by reminding us, after all we've read, to not forget to do good to all we can when we see it. It's not enough to hear the words and have warm feelings. All the fuzzies in the world are worth little if we don't love our brother. So let's turn our learning into living, and really love the world.

Goodnight all, and God bless!




http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%2037-38:30,%20Matthew%2012:22-45,%20Psalm%2016:1-11,%20Proverbs%203:27-32&version=NIV

Day 17: June 29, 2012- Purity and Sweet Sleep

The readings!

Genesis 35-36:43, Matthew 12:1-21, Psalm 15:1-5, Proverbs 3:21-26

Jacob receives his next mission. Meanwhile, God reveals that he, indeed, was the one who saved him from his brother Esau. It didn't say in the reading yesterday, but now it is clarified in hindsight. How many times have situations worked out in our lives and we dismiss them as chance, but it was God moving behind the scenes? The chance that's really involved is the chance for us to choose to praise him for his protection.
I love that, without any prompting, Jacob instructs his household to purify themselves for God, after God speaks. He made the choice to follow this God, and he's going to follow through.

In the NT, Jesus tries to get through the people's heads that what matters to God is the right heart for him and not legalistic adherence to rules. They criticize over people picking grain. When they are legitimately hungry. They conspire about Jesus healing. When people are actually hurting.
But Jesus didn't come for show. He didn't come to entertain their fansies or consider their politics. Often when he healed he told them not to tell anyone. And he wouldn't "crush the weakest reed or put out a flickering candle." But in the most gut-wrenching of irony, a reed would be crushed. It just wouldn't be the legalistic one. If the anything, the legalistic system and all they stand for would only be crushed in the unlikeliest of ways, by the offering of a pure, gentle reed to be broken.

And if you want to know God, only purity may enter here. From blameless lives and sincere hearts. Do you care about meeting God and knowing him? Then read this list to remind and encourage your heart to desire righteousness.

As a great recap from each of today's readings, Proverbs says hang onto discernment. Then you'll have sweet sleep. The Lord will let nothing come near you.

Know the Lord in purity, my child. And sleep sweet.




And to read along:

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%2035-36:43,%20Matthew%2012:1-21,%20Psalm%2015:1-5,%20Proverbs%203:21-26&version=NIV

Day 16: June 28, 2012- Mommies and Midnight Wrestling Ain't No Reed in the Wind

Today is Mommy Day!

Mommy is the whole feature today. What a beauty!

There's something fascinating about the bond between mother and child. It is certainly more intimate than that of a father. I have to hand a few things to her.

So, in the form of a top ten list:

10. She carried him nine months. Kindof a big deal.

9. She milks him. Or he milks her. I can never quite get this one straight.

8. I am completely helpless with him, without direct assistance from #9.

7. She allowed him to go all Alien on her and she retained a yellowish-green tint for days to prove it.

6. She hasn't slept four consecutive hours since he was born, which means:

5. She's been exhausted for over half a month and still doesn't look like a zombie. Impressive.

4. The recovery felt like she had been in a car accident AFTER the actual somewhat-traumatic birth process thingy.

3. Some-what traumatic birth process thingy.

2. Pain. Not that I'd put it this way, but pretty much since the moment we've been married. Happy almost one year anniversary, honey!

1. And finally, for nine months, no ice cream.


I love you, Angela My Amazing!!

Now that he's asleep, I'll hold him.

My Love. Someone else's World.

That's love.

 

A mother's tenderness.

 Flashback...

3:30 am. A certain gem of a morning.

Water broke and we're 19 hours from meeting Luke!

About to leave for the hospital...

Today is certain to be a special day!

 

Santa Claus is coming to town, anyone?

 And now...

We've been a long way since then, little guy. 

It's one of those things a mommy understands.

And the readings!

Genesis 32:13-34:31, Matthew 11:7-30, Psalm 14:1-7, Proverbs 3:19-20

This is a great reading today. I hope you listen and take part!

God gets Jacob out of another one. Or maybe Jacob sneaks his way out. Or maybe God gets him out. Funny how God works like that. There's often an option of giving him the credit or not. But more fascinating to me is what happens in the meantime. Jacob is left on one side of the Jabbok River by himself and has an encounter with a nighttime surprise visitor.
What happens there will define him...

Jesus rejects the critics of the day in the church (yes, the Jews, AND...the Pharisees were the church of the day) and emboldens a message Christians need to hear.
Image is not a concern of the mature Christian. That's right, it doesn't matter how we look to other Christians, nor should we worry about our image to the world. Character is what matters.
Jesus calls out the people because of what they expected of John the Baptist, as well as what they expected of Jesus. When they turn the pressure on you, will you bend like a reed swaying in the wind, or will you stand firm?

David laments that not one is wise, not one seeks God. But even in his despair, he sees reason to rejoice. Would that we could control our minds like a man whose living room was a cave, and whose front landscape was rocks and mountains.

How big is wisdom? How powerful? How much can it affect your life? It's as expansive as the deep fountains and as intimate as the dew beneath the night sky. Anything with the power of many waters, yet the delicacy and poise of a dew drop can change your life.




And, read along:

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%2032:13-34:31,%20Matthew%2011:7-30,%20Psalm%2014:1-7,%20Proverbs%203:19-20&version=NIV

Day 14: June 26, 2012- Rubies, a Mission, and a Legacy Forming

Epilogue:

The Moby in review. If you were wondering what that horrid thing was that I had to battle yesterday, here's what:

If you're wondering what I'm doing with it on after all I said yesterday, don't ask.

We're going out again.

I will NOT be publicizing any battles today. Unless of course I win...

What Really Matters:

Me and My Little Scallion

The Nibbler

The Readings:

Genesis 30-31:16, Matthew 10:1-23, Psalm 12:1-8, Proverbs 3:13-15

I have to hold myself back on this one. Two girls are bickering back and forth in an extended cat fight in the reading today. It must be an exhibition of God's patience. Or maybe his extreme grace. Or maybe, on an outside change, how very much he cares for the heart of woman and fulfilling her needs, no matter how she's treating her sister.
That's probably it. I should just step back and leave it there. A smart man knows when he should not get between the two sisters he married. Ouch.
And God really does love those girls. He gives them what they desire. And he begins to form a legacy of a man of God who has made a covenant with him.

Jesus empowers for a mission in the reading. He's empowered each one of us today. Stand up, oh man of God, and realize this adventure can be as exciting and engaging as you take part in it...

God shows up in the reading today and confirms what David's believed all along: that he has no tolerance for evil, but that he will protect the godly. Why do more people not fear him?

And if you're looking for silver, gold, or rubies, look right here. This is worth more. It's the kind you'll miss if you don't care enough, but that will last for eternity if you're wise enough to stop by and pick it up.

Feel free to give feedback in the comments. I'd especially like to hear what God is saying to you in the readings!




Read along:

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%2030-31:16,%20Matthew%2010:1-23,%20Psalm%2012:1-8,%20Proverbs%203:13-15&version=NIV

Day 13: June 25, 2012- Moby's, Worrmbats, and Other Furry Magical Creatures

Moment of the Day:

Angela and I got the little scrumption into his car seat, rumbling down the road, and to the mall!!!

No, you are not allowed to take any lessons here, buddy. The mall is a bad place, filled with evil things called...price tags. There will be horror bedtime stories about such things coming, I think (it's amazing how his mind falls into my neat little traps).

Today is the day of the Moby.

I decided to wear one, a piece of cloth about as long as a first down (notice how I compared it to football, making it instantly cooler to the reader who is, once again, falling into my neat little trap). It wraps around one's body in a supposedly important method and then you tuck a baby inside.

After fighting with the contraption (at this point it's become one, which brings it into the realm of things I can be frustrated with), I finally redesigned it (aka, tied a knot in the back at a step of the procedure), making it a fine tuned machine (ok, a bit of a stretch for cloth, but I'm in the middle of boasting...read on to hear the rest of the boast), proving that a guy is needed to come and engineer a girl's product to make it work properly (slightly sexist remark while wearing what is the equivalent of Pontius Pilate's designer's evening cocktail gown), and thus preparing myself for walking around a mall with a baby in my papoose, er, pouch, er, man...satchel thingy.

Ok, I must admit, this thing is not made of camo or crossing gun bullet belts.

Round 2 went to the Moby at the mall, as we struggled to adapt to its strategy to dance around my body and wear us out chasing it around the ring.

Round 3 I won. The baby was asleep and the Moby fitting into my neat little trap to make it do its job.

Half way through Round 4, the match was called on account of poop, but not before I got some good unchecked hand shots in at Express and, well...a sweet technological gadget store much more sweet and technological than stupid Moby's a sorta girlie store Angela wanted to go to...

But I'm confident if the fight had gone on I would've won.

(If there is a Moby out there anywhere saying if the fight had gone on it would've won, I'm just, like, really upset right now. I just want to say it knows where I live. Anytime, anywhere tough guy. Except not tomorrow, I will be carrying the diaper bag tomorrow...and, um, ok nevermind...)

But seriously, I really like Moby's (@Moby not serious, not serious, bring it on #fisticuffs #hospital #athletic tape #spandex #every other elastic material better than a Moby).

And for no reason at all...

Picture!!

You could kill the world with cuteness, kid. Or at least small, furry magical creatures like worrmbats. Worrmbats hate cuteness.

A First Conversation Piece.

So today, Luke and I had our first conversation!

He always has to have the last word. Aka: I can't even win a serious debate with a 13 day old.  I think, and I really don't think I'm reaching with this, being his dad, that he's actually quite intelligent. Listen in to our adorable exchange!




And yes, there are readings!

Genesis 28-29:35, Matthew 9:18-38, Psalm 11:1-7, Proverbs 3:11-12

This is a cool moment for Jacob. God comes to him in a dream and blesses him. Jacob ponders it, then chooses to follow God with his life. We usually think of God as Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob's God. But this is the moment he becomes Jacob's God. There was a beginning. And this is it.

Jesus sees the people in their pain. Have you ever felt like no one knows what you're going through? Jesus looks out over the people and he sees one after another uniquely formed, infinitely special person. And he sees them hurting. It's enough to bring one to one's knees. Will you take on Jesus's heart for the people, my friend? Will you make healing their hearts foremost in yours?

David's not afraid. He knows who his God is.

And, ever thought you were being wronged when you were being disciplined? If you're in a difficult time now, better to not decide it's so awful just yet. Perhaps God is disciplining you, not necessarily for sin, but like on a sports team, to become much stronger. Sounds like he loves you.

Hope you enjoy the reading!




Read along:

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%2028-29:35,%20Matthew%209:18-38,%20Psalm%2011:1-7,%20Proverbs%203:11-12&version=NIV

Day 12: June 24, 2012- Jesus, "The Man"

(Update: Every Sunday I intend to do a video podcast of the reading, in addition to the audio podcast and read-along verses. Just a little something to let you check in on the little guy. Unfortunately, for some reason today my audio player wasn't working, so the video podcast is all you get. But of course you can minimize that ugly mug and his little scrumption and listen and read along if you prefer!)

Moment of the Day:

They used to do it in the Old Testament. Abraham migrated with his wife and concubines and sons and daughters in tents from place to place. They did it in the New Testament. The people went from house to house sharing the Word of God and breaking bread together.

And we did it today.

There's something really special about roving bands of families coming to one place to spend a day together. My brother Doy would call it specialicious.

Something about the whines and cries that dot Sunday afternoon conversation filled with laughter, smiles, and the echoing voices of friends.

Little play mats and car seats around the room. A baby rocked in the corner. Another drooling over the carpet as her carrier engages in a story from the week.

There's something special about family. Something specialicious.

This was the first day I got to pack my roving band into our roving vehicle and carry them around the corner to this hullabaloo. Our greeting at the door was wide smiles and kisses. We were brought into a room of sweet smells and close friends.

And in a long (and growing longer) row of car seats, I nestled his onto the end.

It felt good to scoot the others aside to make room for one more.

We ate. We laughed. We smiled. A few of us whined and cried.

Time stopped as we shared stories from the week, made new ones for the next. Once again one band, we belonged together. The light rains fell from the sky outside, quietly reminding us a pitter-pattering world would wait.

And inside, a family somewhat bigger than before carried right along with life.

They say the church is one body. They say it's a family. That real love is found there. A place of smiles and friendship and warm, welcoming eyes.

After a day like today, I think I know what they mean.

And I believe them.

A small band of friends became a big band of family. And the most natural of things was right there inside.

It's something worth welcoming a little one into. It's something for much older ones too.

It's a thing that makes people's hearts a little lighter and makes their dreams a little more true.

Love was waiting inside.

Perhaps this is what heaven's like.

Perhaps it's like coming home.

Home

But wait, there's more! The readings:

Genesis 26:17-27:46, Matthew 9:1-17, Psalm 10:16-18, Proverbs 3:9-10

Jacob with the steal, dribbles, and a slam dunk! Today, Jacob successfully swindles what is rightfully his anyway because of his brother's thoughtlessness: the blessing. Jacob is one interesting character. He's always getting what he wants by trickery. But God is always behind it. You can imagine Jacob pretending to be Esau to his blind father would be one interesting scene to watch. And it's something God chose ahead.
Remember, he told Rebekah when the two were still in her womb, "The older will serve the younger." God knew who the two would become, who would honor him, and, unquestionably, he knew how that trickster Jacob would play this out. And he blessed it. Praise God for a God who has a bit of a rebel streak to not be afraid to overturn a few tables to make sure that right wins.

Jesus acts with authority. When it's questioned, bam! He backs it up. How fun would it have been to be there when Jesus told the paralytic his sins were forgiven, he was called out, and in front of everyone he told the man to get up, and he stood up and walked out?? If you think you have a wimpy God and a lame religion, you better check this out again. Jesus stands up for righteousness, and he's bold, man of God. He puts attackers in their place. But he does so just by being strong as a Man. He never loses his love and righteousness.

David is so grateful. You know those mornings you wake up, thinking something you thought in your sleep was a dream and wake up to find that it's true? That's today. David wakes up to find that God is, indeed, King, Lord of all, and that he is, indeed, good, a healer, and a defender and freer of the oppressed. And David is safe. You can sleep easy tonight, because your dreams about God are true!

And today, so few people give money to God. To their churches, to worldwide missions, to local Christian organizations that serve the church and provide for the world. We are so afraid we can't provide for ourselves, so concerned about getting and keeping what we can. But God says give it away. Give it to him, and our barns will be overflowing with abundance. Where do good things come from? From him. And he set up the principle that if we give freely and joyfully to him, he will richly give to us. This is true, and once again, what is right and good blows away the world's mindsets.
Let's be found on the side that radically, faithfully follows our God and lets the adventure we're swept up in become as big as he is.

Nothing else will be like it!

The Video Reading:




Read along:

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%2026:17-27:46,%20Matthew%209:1-17,%20Psalm%2010:16-18,%20Proverbs%203:9-10&version=NIV

Day 11: June 23, 2012- Part 2 of the First Love Story and the Two Brothers

Moment of the Day:

A cool thing happened today.

We successfully inserted Luke into the Fisher Price Swing that had been given to us. And he didn't cry.

He just looked around and reached out, trying to comprehend his surroundings.

As he swung, all of a sudden, I wanted to get his attention. I wanted to tell him I love him. At least to make eye contact.

So I got really close and swayed with the rhythm of the swing.

"I love you, Lukey."

But he continued to paw at the air and looked side to side to try to figure out where he was.

He wouldn't look at me. It was as though he couldn't.

I felt such love well up within me, as I saw him struggle with his surroundings, and all I wanted was for him to know how much I love him and that I'm right there.

But as I got closer, I couldn't get his eyes to meet mine.

He was too consumed by the movement of the swing.

And then I thought, this must be how God feels.

We sway back and forth, so caught up in our surroundings, pre-occupied trying to figure it all out, that he can't get our attention. He looks at us and leans in, so full of desire for us, just wanting to comfort us and tell us it's okay. You don't have to worry about the swing. Daddy's right here. Daddy loves you.

But we don't notice. Our eyes dart back and forth, and we miss what he so desperately longs for us to hear. What he so desperately longs for us to see. That he's right there.

If we could, we'd see the overwhelming love and compassion welling in his eyes, a Father who never stops watching, never stops trying to get our attention.

We'd see a Father who wants to enjoy the ride with us. Wants us to be able to enjoy this with him.

If we could just forget the craziness and movement for one moment, we'd see that he's right in front of us, following us with his eyes, hoping to catch ours. That we're not alone. He's been standing there all along, calling out our name. That he's swaying back and forth to the rhythm of our crazy pace, leaning in, hoping to share it with us.

And more than anything he just wants to say, "I love you."

 

I love you

 

Thank you (or...milk...)

 

I love sleeping on daddy...

 

 ...all scrunchled up

But there's nothing like mommy 

The Readings:

Genesis 24:52-26:16, Matthew 8:18-34, Psalm 10:1-15, Proverbs 3:7-8

Part 2 of Isaac's love story. Esau and Jacob come into the picture. There's a really good lesson why to honor what God calls important. This doesn't work out well for the guy who doesn't.

An interesting day when Jesus has no place to go. Will you follow him? To really love God, we must be willing to follow without reservation. Even by the end of this reading, Jesus is a loner without welcome.

David has questions. Do you ever? That's okay, so long as you take them to him. And you answer them with what you know is true, not what you feel. David is going through the process.

An ominous change of direction in Proverbs today. Solomon isn't recommending one to seek wisdom and learn; he's warning against being impressed with your own wisdom. This is a really hard one for us. Perhaps especially for us guys. But there is an answer, and man, is it worth it.

Overall, a great day. I hope you guys are enjoying this. God is really speaking to me through it! Nothing like drawing near our Father and learning from him as the Bible comes to life...



Read along:

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%2024:52-26:16,%20Matthew%208:18-34,%20Psalm%2010:1-15,%20Proverbs%203:7-8&version=NLT

Day 10: June 22, 2012- The First Love Story

Moment of the Day:

So I had a moment of the day planned. It was nothing. A leaf blowing in the wind, a wisp of meaningless memory carried away to pasture on a lazy day's westbound breeze. In comparison to the storm that was coming.

Angela and I decided to take our first adventure with Luke outside of the house. Outside of the comfort zone. All went according to plan. The monotony of days drifting in and out of feeding sessions and nap time, dirty diapers and rainy afternoons, clouds passing and coming again, seemed to be broken with our spirited first family adventure. We all packed into the little Subaru hatchback.

The whirring of the road noises and rotating tires put Luke fast asleep.

There was a feeling in the air. It was excitement.

This might happen. It might...work.

We pulled up to Boardwalk Ice Cream. Snapped our Racer 500 high speed child unit in one deft flick out of the back and into place on the pavement. Took the baby up into my arms.

And then...

A monstrous squishing noise emitted from the Valley of Despair.

This one would be nasty.

 I plopped the little guy down into the back of the car. Opened him up. "Scalpel..."

There was a swamp of orange slime that rippled through his undergarments as though agitated by the Loch Ness monster just beneath the surface.

We began quick work.

All of a sudden, it happened. Right at the moment I had lifted his legs, poised him for a swift cleansing by my dutiful wife, the second explosion.

And then, a sleeping baby boy soaked himself in the face with a direct hit.

Angela and I looked at each other and burst out laughing.

Five minutes and more than that wipes later, we were comfortably, cleanly, licking our ice cream, Luke sucking down his bottle, the two of us laughing and recounting the nor'easter that had just swept through and moved on past the coast.

A few strangers laughed and said this wouldn't be the last time.

I smiled.

I have a feeling they'll be right. And that's okay.

 

Post wipes and pre-ice cream, er, bottle

Loving every minute of our first family adventure

The Readings:

Genesis 23-24:51, Matthew 8:1-17, Psalm 9:13-20, Proverbs 3:1-6

The Bible's first love story. Such a great one. Fall in love with God's plan for you, as you realize through this one just how involved he is.

Bring on the healing. Isaiah 61 prophesied Jesus was going to do some healing, and doggone it, it's gonna happen today. Enjoy this one. And just believe that he's going to do it in our lives today. It's so easy. It's in his nature.

David cries out again. All cry babies, mine included, and people who go through actual pain need apply.

And God's plan is simply marvelous. Bind his ways and thoughts around your neck and trust in him always. Like our ice cream, Loch Ness monster adventure, the end may not be expected, but it'll always be good. Listen on if you want confirmation of what you already know, that God will make your paths straight if you lean on him. If you acknowledge him.




Read along:

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%2023-24:51,%20Matthew%208:1-17,%20Psalm%209:13-20,%20Proverbs%203:1-6&version=NIV